Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way body cells take up and use glucose from the blood. Raised blood glucose levels identify diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, for example, heart attack, angina or stroke. People with cardiovascular disease frequently have type 2 diabetes.

People with diabetes and heart disease are at higher risk of heart attack andstroke.

The reported increase of diabetes in Australia is thought to be associated with more people being physically inactive, having unfavourable eating habits and being overweight.

There are two main types of diabetes:

• type 1 previously known as insulin dependent or juvenile onset diabetes
• type 2 previously known as non-insulin dependent or mature onset diabetes

The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, which makes up 90% of cases of diabetes.

For more information, visit the Diabetes Australia website.